Moving vertical axis turbine foil

ABSTRACT

A new movable foil for accelerating the fluid hitting the blades of a vertical axis turbine is presented.

This patent application claims the benefit of U. S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/028,545, entitled Provisional 2-08: One-directional bearings, Large and Small Wind, Hydro, Blade Design, filed Feb. 14, 2008.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a moving foil attached to a vertical axis turbine. When juxtaposed at the periphery of the turbine blades, it can allow acceleration of the flow into the blades. The inventor has previously described foils or Flow Deflection Devices (FDDs) in detail in PCT IL2007/000348, Flow Deflection Devices and Methods for Energy Capture Machines, where the use of FDDs in various positions related to vertical axis turbines was claimed. This patent application is an elaboration of the concept, wherein the FDD moves with the fluid, defined as including liquid and gas, to improve the power output of the turbine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a foil on a track around a vertical axis turbine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a moving FDD around a vertical axis turbine.

Definitions: FDD is a device that alters the circulation. A foil is a type of FDD with a curved shape, and the two terms can often be used interchangeably. A partial foil is an incomplete version of a typical aerodynamic foil; for example, it may be hollow on the inside and incomplete on the outside. A vertical axis turbine can be in any orientation, not necessarily vertical; it means that the spinning blades have an axis perpendicular to the fluid flow. The term “fluid” can refer to gas or liquid. A “track” may refer to any means of supporting movement.

The principles and operation of a movable vertical axis turbine foil according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a foil on a track around a vertical axis turbine. An FDD (3) is connected to a tail vane (2) and moves along a track (1), whether or not connected to the rest of the turbine. In this way, the FDD will always be in the position desired. One embodiment of that is shown on the left side of the picture, whereby an FDD (3) does not block any flow and is positioned to deliver maximal velocity acceleration to the blades when they are passing at a right angle to the direction of flow. FDDs may be placed in other locations (4), such as “type 2” in the picture. Here the FDD not only directs flow to the blades but also blocks the flow from the return trip of the blades. A connection (5) between the FDD and the tail vane enables the foil to obtain the correct position. The tail vane may be in many positions and orientation; the one shown is at 180 degrees to the direction of fluid flow. It is possible that the blades of the turbine may affect the placement and orientation of the vane so that it is not at 180 degrees, or that it might be superior to the turbine blades. The FDD may also be connected to a motor (not shown) that is connected to a microprocessor and a sensor.

The track (1) supporting the movable FDD would usually be inferior to it and the blades. It may be located on top of an FDD (7) that surrounds the blades in an inferior orientation or on some other supporting structure. As noted before, the words such as “top” and “inferior” are relative. A second, superior track (6) may help support the FDD. That upper track (6) may also be attached to a superior FDD in a superior orientation (not shown).

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention successfully addresses the shortcomings of the presently known configurations by providing a vertical axis turbine with a movable FDD.

It is now disclosed for the first time a vertical axis turbine, comprising:

a. a movable FDD, peripheral to the blades, functionally contiguous to the blades of said turbine, and whose length is in the same axis as the turbine, b. a means for moving said movable FDD.

According to another embodiment, the turbine is in a liquid.

According to another embodiment, the turbine is in a gas.

According to another embodiment, the movable FDD is a partial foil shape.

According to another embodiment, the means comprises at least one track.

According to another embodiment, the track is supported on at least one separate FDD.

According to another embodiment, the means comprises a tail vane connected to the movable FDD.

According to another embodiment, the means comprises a sensing-controller-motor system for adjusting the position of the movable FDD.

According to another embodiment, the movable FDD does not block the fluid entering the turbine.

According to another embodiment, the FDD partially blocks the fluid entering the turbine.

In one embodiment, the system with a non-blocking movable FDD further comprises a second movable FDD, whether or not attached to the first movable FDD, partially blocking the fluid entering the turbine.

It is now disclosed for the first time a method of placing a movable FDD functionally adjacent to a vertical axis turbine.

According to another embodiment, the movable FDD is substantially located at a right angle to the direction of flow.

It is now disclosed for the first time a non-movable FDD, comprising an attachment for supporting a track. 

1. A vertical axis turbine, comprising: a. a movable FDD, peripheral to the blades, functionally contiguous to the blades of said turbine, and whose length is in the same axis as the turbine, b. a means for moving said movable FDD.
 2. The turbine of claim 1, wherein the turbine is in a liquid.
 3. The turbine of claim 1, wherein the turbine is in a gas.
 4. The turbine of claim 1, wherein the movable FDD is a partial foil shape.
 5. The turbine of claim 1, wherein the means comprises at least one track.
 6. The turbine of claim 5, wherein the track is supported on at least one separate FDD.
 7. The turbine of claim 1, wherein the means comprises a tail vane connected to the movable FDD.
 8. The turbine of claim 1, wherein the means comprises a sensing-controller-motor system for adjusting the position of the movable FDD.
 9. The turbine of claim 1, wherein the movable FDD does not block the fluid entering the turbine.
 10. The turbine of claim 1, wherein the FDD partially blocks the fluid entering the turbine.
 11. The turbine of claim 9, further comprising: c. a second movable FDD, whether or not attached to the first movable FDD, partially blocking the fluid entering the turbine.
 12. A method of placing a movable FDD functionally adjacent to a vertical axis turbine.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the movable FDD is substantially located at a right angle to the direction of flow.
 14. A non-movable FDD, comprising an attachment for supporting a track. 